“Let’s go,” Harrison said.
Once they were out of the tunnels and back into the tunnel, they hurried to the ballroom. Annika kept expecting guards to pop out at any moment, but evidently they were too busy with the chaos unfolding upstairs.
They made it back to the ballroom unhindered.
Just in time to see “the police” escort the protesters out.
“Come on,” Matteo growled at Eli as he led the cuffed man toward the door. “Damn troublemaker.”
A police van was waiting out front. Through the tinted windows, no one could tell that a movie director was behind the wheel.
Once the last “protester” was thrown in the back, Stryker pulled away.
Annika knew what would happen next—one of the “cops”—probably Daddy this time—would hop out, jump in the limo, and pick her and Harrison up.
After all, the gala was ruined. No one was staying around. Guests were scattering.
And Annika found it all so very amusing.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The Mountainville Crew hung around for Thanksgiving.
Harrison and Stryker’s wives—Diana and Amelia, respectively—arrived for the holiday, along with Auntie Athena, Trevon, and Auntie Caroline, who also worked at the nursery.
The Guard’s mansion was packed with people and wonderful aromas filled the air along with laughter and conversation.
And Annika was in heaven.
“The news reported last night that Marlot has been subpoenaed by Congress!” Harrison said as he filled his plate with turkey and stuffing. “The revelation that he defrauded the government was such a bombshell that the Senate and House both decided to work through the holiday.”
“Aww, that’s a shame,” Stryker said with a laugh as she spooned some cranberry sauce on his own plate across the island from his best friend. “I hate to see them give up their time off.”
Annika, standing next to him, laughed. She looked at the selection, trying to figure out what she could fit on her already packed plate.
She settled on green beans, packing them next to the glazed ham and sweet potato casserole.
“So, you know,” Stella said from the corner of the island as she reached for the rolls, “when we were in the system, we erased that alert Marlot had put on your name and Social Security number. You’re free to do whatever you want.”
From across the kitchen, where the drinks were set up, Matteo called over his shoulder, “But she doesn’t have to work if she doesn’t want to!”
Annika laughed. She knew Daddy would be just fine if her full-time job was simply sitting on his lap and soaking in all the cuddles.
And she’d love that, too. But there were a few things she wanted to do.
“My dream has always been to work at a studio. I think I might try.”
“I can introduce you to some people,” Grant Baker said as he strolled past with Sadie. “It’s the least I can do. I wasn’t any help back at the gala last week.” He frowned. “I just attended. You all had everything under control.”
“Hey, you were there in case we needed you,” Harrison said. “And Annika, I can introduce you to some folks, too. Think about which department you’d want to work in. We have lots of open spots right now.”
She smiled and thanked them both before saying, “But there’s something else I want to do, too. A nonprofit. That might eat up a lot of my time.”
Matteo was at her side now, clearly eager to hear what she had to say. “What do you have in mind, babygirl?”
Annika grew a bit bashful when she realized all eyes were on her. But she shrugged it off and said, “It’s called Holly’s House. Named after my favorite character, of course. It’ll be right on Hollywood Boulevard. There are so many empty buildings that can be repurposed. All it will take is some hard work and dedication.” She had a faraway look in her eyes as she sighedwistfully, thinking about it all. “We’ll give meals each day. Plus, we can offer job-skills training and stuff like that. And the staff will be made up of people from the Boulevard, people looking for work. It’ll be perfect!”
Grant grinned. “That’s great! Count me in. I’ll absolutely help with that. And we can have some big fundraisers, too.”
